Springer Star Newsletter

October 28th, 2011

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

Principal’s Letter

News and Announcements

Student Extracurricular Activities

Community Activities

Quick Dates for your Calendar

October 28: Coffee with the Principal

October 31, 1pm: Annual Costume Parade 

November 1: Family Dinners Out at Armadillo Willy’s

November 2, 7pm: PTA meeting

November 8: Site council meeting

November 11: Veteran’s Day: no school

November 18: Coffee with the Principal

Principal’s Letter

The Importance of LAEF

A key element in the success of our district is that everyone is committed to doing what is best for our students.  For many of us, this commitment is the reason why we work here and live here.

We could not do what we do without the support of our PTAs and the work of Los Altos Educational Foundation, or LAEF.  LAEF, specifically, has kept class sizes in the primary grades low, allowed the libraries to remain open at all our schools, and provided music and P.E. instruction for our upper grade students.  At the elementary schools, LAEF also supports the Living Classroom and the Art Docent programs.

This week LAEF volunteers will be calling our district families asking for their support of this vital organization.  As principal, I urge you to contribute to LAEF.  Your tax deductible contribution helps keep Los Altos schools among the state's best.

While other public schools have had their programs decimated by budget cuts, Los Altos schools can continue to offer the well-rounded educational experience that we all know is best for kids.  

Please help LAEF continue their work to help our district maintain its excellence.

News and Announcements

Reminder: Students on campus after dismissal must be under direct supervision.  

There is no teacher or yard duty supervision for students after school, so any child who remains on campus must be enrolled in a supervised extracurricular activity or directly supervised by a responsible adult. Parents, please remind children who walk or ride home on their own to leave campus immediately upon dismissal.  Also, parents, guardians, and other caregivers who stay at Springer to supervise their children's play should enforce the basic playground rules.  These rules can be found on the back of the green Springer student folder.  

Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a safe, friendly environment on our campus.

LAEF:  Deadline for LAEF Challenge Grant - November 1! 

LAEF is fortunate every year to have a group of anonymous donors who set up matching funds for increases in donations.  Here's how it works:

- If you are new to LASD and didn't give to LAEF last year, 100% of your donation will be matched but you must donate before 11/1!  

- If you made a donation to LAEF last year and you can give a little more, that extra donation will be matched $1 for $1 if you give before 11/1!  

There's no paperwork to fill out -- just go online at www.laefonline.org and make your donation today before the opportunity for matching is gone!

Fine Arts at Springer: PTA meeting, Wednesday, November 2, at 7:00 pm.  We will move quickly through PTA business, including a vote to approve the new Springer PTA Bylaws (see a summary of the changes), and then hear from a panel of guest speakers who will describe the fine arts programs at Springer.  Please join us and learn about the new Starting Arts Music and Dance instruction for K-3rd, the vocal and instrumental instruction for 4th-6th, the art docent programs in K-6th, and the CSMA Arts in Action program for 1st-6th graders.  [See the agenda.]

Annual Costume Parade Monday, Oct. 31st at 1:00pm.

Come out and see the wacky, spooky, and zany costumes that Springer students show off in their annual parade.  In this Springer tradition, each grade level takes turns parading around the blacktop in their costumes as their school mates cheer them on.  Students are asked not to wear overly scary or grotesque costumes.  Class parties follow the parade.  

Dismissal for 1st through 6th grade is at 2:25pm

WANTED: Yard Duty Aide

Springer is currently looking for a person who can become our next paid Yard Duty aide.  This is a fun and rewarding job that starts at 11:45am and finishes at 12:45pm daily.  Candidates should love interacting with kids and the rewards are many.  Training is provided.  Once hired, fingerprinting is required.  If you know of someone who would make a great yard duty aide, please have them contact Mr. Spenader.  Position begins November 1st.

Family Dinners Out

Raise money for Springer simply by enjoying dinner out with your family and friends! Springer receives 15-30% back from the restaurants when you dine at their establishments on Springer's selected dates. Takeout orders apply as well! Listed below are the participating restaurants for November:

Armadillo Willy's                   Tuesday, November 1

Pizza My Heart                     Wednesday, November 16

Chevy’s                                Thursday, November 17

Mountain Mike's Pizza         Every Thursday and Sunday

Flyers are available in the school office, Abracadabra and the Springer website.

Questions? Contact Lara Rahn at lara.rahn[at]yahoo.com or Linda McCartney at lm28476[at]yahoo.com

Student Extracurricular Activities

LA-MV PONY BASEBALL UPCOMING REGISTRATION

Registration opens November 1, for the 2012 season.  LA-MV PONY is for boys and girls aged 5-19. For more details, see the Pony Baseball Flyer

Community Activities

Santa Rita's Witches' Delight Halloween Carnival

Date:  Friday, October 28th, 2011

Time:  3-8pm

Place:  Santa Rita Elementary School, 700 Los Altos Ave, Los Altos, CA

Santa Rita’s Witches Delight is back for the 51st year and it’s better than ever! There will be carnival rides, new games, cake walk, cookie decorating,costume contest and the Spooky Silent Auction. Stay late and enjoy rides and dinner provided by the amazing Santa Rita BBQers!

Free admission, but pay to play tickets are $1 each. All proceeds benefit the Santa Rita Elementary PTA. Come join the fun! Visit http://www.santaritaschool.org/events/witches.html for more information.

Identifying and Supporting Learning Differences  

Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 - meeting is 9 to 11 am.  

Hospitality begins at 8:45am.  

Covington Elementary School Multi

This workshop by Beth Powell of the Reading Clinic will cover the warning signs of a child who is having difficulties with learning to read, understanding what is read, and developing as a writer. Ways to recognize and support weakness in these areas will be presented. The connections between reading and writing difficulties will also be discussed.

Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 - meeting is 9 to 11 am.  

This parent education event is sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)  All of our events are free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit.  No registration is necessary.